By Desmond Nleya
DUBAI- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has established a timetable for the Democratic Republic of Congo’s legal case against Rwanda, setting the stage for a lengthy judicial process over allegations of serious violations of international law.
The United Nations’ highest court said the DRC must submit its written arguments by October 4, 2027, while Rwanda will have until December 4, 2028, to respond.
Kinshasa filed the case on June 26, accusing Rwanda of violating four international conventions relating to genocide, racial discrimination, discrimination against women and torture.
The DRC alleges that the violations began in 1996 and continued for almost three decades, resulting in millions of deaths and injuries, as well as widespread sexual violence.
Kinshasa has also accused Rwanda of supporting armed groups operating in eastern Congo, including the M23 rebel movement, which it describes as a proxy force for Kigali.
The Congolese government further alleges that Rwanda persecuted members of the Hutu and Nyindu communities and was involved in the illegal exploitation of natural resources in eastern Congo.
Rwanda has consistently rejected the allegations, maintaining that its military involvement in the region has been driven by national security and self-defence concerns.
The DRC government has emphasised that its case does not seek to challenge the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda or the peace agreement signed between the two countries in June 2025.
If the court’s timetable remains unchanged, oral hearings could begin in early 2029, followed by a ruling potentially around six months later.
Should the ICJ rule in favour of the DRC, Kinshasa says it will seek an official apology from Rwanda, the prosecution of individuals found responsible and compensation for the damages it says the country has suffered.
